Is Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look beyond the marketing on the bottle and dive straight into the formulation. The ingredient list for Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple is surprisingly simple, relying on a blend of dried vegetables, spices, and sweeteners to achieve that backyard BBQ flavor profile. The bulk of the volume comes from BROWN SUGAR, SALT, and GARLIC, which are all unequivocally vegan. These are standard base ingredients for dry rubs.

The complexity arises with two specific ingredients: BROWN SUGAR and NATURAL FLAVOR. In the United States, brown sugar is often processed using bone char—a filter medium made from animal bones—to achieve that pure white color before molasses is added back in. While no bone char remains in the final product, the processing aid is an animal derivative, making the sugar a gray area for strict vegans. Furthermore, the NATURAL FLAVOR listed includes 'smoke.' Natural flavors can be derived from plant or animal sources, and while smoke flavor is typically plant-derived (via distillation of wood), manufacturers rarely specify the origin, leaving a gap in certainty.

On the plus side, the ingredients RED BELL PEPPER, ORANGE PEEL, and MAPLE SYRUP are clearly plant-based. The inclusion of SILICON DIOXIDE is also vegan; this is an anti-caking agent used to prevent clumping, derived from silica (sand), and is common in spice blends to ensure the powder flows freely.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this seasoning is primarily a source of sodium and carbohydrates. Because the first ingredient is BROWN SUGAR, the calorie count per serving is higher than a savory-only rub. A single teaspoon contains roughly 5 to 10 calories, but the sugar content can add up quickly if you are heavy-handed with your application.

The sodium content is significant, as is expected with any BBQ rub, but it fits within the limits of a standard diet when used in moderation. There is virtually no fat or protein in this seasoning. If you are on a strict low-sugar or low-carb diet like Keto, this product is not suitable due to the high sugar content listed right at the top of the ingredient deck.